About

The Biomedical Research Academy, hosted by Penn Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, is a three-week residential program running July 5–25, 2026 for rising sophomores through seniors. It introduces students to the experimental foundations of cellular, molecular, and genetic biology through daily lab work, faculty lectures, and small-group investigation of current research topics. Tuition is $10,050, covering housing in Penn residence halls, a meal plan, and all laboratory materials; a $1,500 nonrefundable deposit is required upon acceptance. Students attending a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school may be eligible to attend on a full scholarship.

Admissions are rolling until capacity — the program fills before its stated deadline, and early applications are strongly encouraged. Applicants submit transcripts, two essays, and one letter of recommendation from an adult who can speak to their academic ability or potential. A minimum 3.5 GPA is required. International students are welcome and should apply by February to allow time for visa processing.

The academic structure combines daily morning lectures by Penn biology faculty and Perelman School of Medicine clinicians with afternoon lab sessions where students develop hands-on proficiency in techniques including PCR, gel electrophoresis, and bacterial transformation. A Journal Club component runs throughout the three weeks: small groups work with Penn researchers to analyze primary research literature on topics such as CRISPR/Cas9, vaccine development, and antibiotic resistance — one of the program's more distinctive features and the closest it comes to authentic scientific discourse. The program culminates in a team research presentation. No college credit is awarded, though students may request letters of recommendation from Penn instructors upon completion.

Penn's Biomedical Research Academy sits in a crowded field of university-based biomedical enrichment programs, and families should understand what it is and isn't: this is a well-structured lab skills and science literacy program, not an individual faculty research mentorship. Students leave with genuine technical exposure and a stronger foundation for future science coursework, but not with an independent research output. For a rising sophomore or junior who wants a rigorous introduction to how biomedical research actually works — before committing to a more selective or specialized program — Penn's setting and instructional quality make it a sound choice.